Scaffolding having a coupling

ABSTRACT

A scaffolding has a coupling which can be mounted at a connection location. The connection location in this instance has a recess in the form of a through-recess in which an angular portion of the coupling can be at least partially introduced. The angular portion engages partially behind the connection location. The coupling may have a half-coupling so that a simple connection to a scaffolding pipe, in particular for connecting to a facade, is produced. A method for connecting the scaffolding to such a coupling is also taught herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims priority to PCT/EP2016/066509 filed on Jul. 12, 2016 which has published as WO 2017/012919 A1 and also the German application number 10 2015 213 737.6 filed on Jul. 21, 2015, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein with these references.

DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to scaffolding used in construction. More specifically, the present invention relates to a scaffolding having a coupling which can be mounted at a connection location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in scaffolding construction to provide a coupling for the connection of individual components of a scaffolding. It is further known to secure a scaffolding, in particular a facade scaffolding, to a building facade by means of a scaffolding retention member.

The connection between the scaffolding retention member and scaffolding is generally carried out in this instance by means of a so-called normal coupling by which a pipe of the scaffolding retention member is connected to a pipe of the scaffolding. Such a normal coupling has two half-couplings of which a first half-coupling is connected to the pipe of the scaffolding retention member and a second half-coupling is connected to a vertical scaffolding shaft of the scaffolding. The half-couplings are generally in the form of half-clips. In order to install the normal coupling, two half-couplings consequently have to be closed and screwed shut. These operating steps are time-intensive and complex for a scaffolding constructor, in particular when he has only one hand free for closing and screwing the normal coupling.

Another disadvantage of the use of normal couplings for connecting a scaffolding retention member is that the spacing between the scaffolding retention member and scaffolding node as a result of the width of the half-clip is relatively large, which has an unfavourable effect on the introduction of forces into the scaffolding shaft.

In scaffolding construction, it is further known to use bracing couplings for connecting a scaffolding pipe which acts as a scaffolding retention member to a lug of an annular screw which is fitted to a facade. The bracing couplings have in this instance a rod which is bent multiple times and which is introduced into the lug and is located in continuation of the center line of the scaffolding retention member which is intended to be assembled in order to ensure a favourable force path. The disadvantage is that it thereby constitutes a limitation for the scaffolding pipe. The known bracing couplings are used only at the facade side.

Finally, it is known from scaffolding construction to use carrier couplings for connecting a scaffolding to a steel carrier or the like. However, carrier couplings can only be mounted in a relatively complex manner.

An object of the present invention is in this regard to provide a scaffolding or a method with which a rapid connection of a scaffolding component is enabled with little structural complexity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object of the present invention is achieved with a scaffolding having the features of the apparatus patent claim and a method according to the method patent claim. The dependent subordinate claims set out further advantageous developments.

The object according to the invention is consequently achieved with a scaffolding having a coupling for a scaffolding retention member for connecting the scaffolding to a building facade, wherein the coupling can be connected at a recess of a connection location of a scaffolding node which is suitable for system components of the scaffolding. The connection location is in this instance constructed in the form of an anchor plate portion.

The coupling according to the invention, without the use of a clip which surrounds the scaffolding shaft, can thereby be connected to the connection location on a scaffolding node. This enables securing of a scaffolding to a facade in a manner which is as simple as possible in terms of construction and handling technology.

In this instance, a scaffolding node is intended to be understood to be a location which is provided on a scaffolding shaft with regular spacing and at which at least two connection locations for system components, such as longitudinal and/or transverse bars, scaffolding floors, diagonals and the like, are provided and at which the system components can be fitted without using a clip which surrounds the pipe of the scaffolding shaft, at least at substantially the same height. If bars are securely connected to the scaffolding shaft, even when only one connection location is present there is a scaffolding node present in the context of this application. These scaffolding nodes are constructed in many commercially available modular scaffoldings in the form of anchor plates, perforated discs, pockets, cup-like receiving members or other suitable receiving members.

The solution according to the invention consequently makes use of the fact that most modular scaffoldings have in the region of the scaffolding nodes connection locations which can be used for connection to a coupling. The coupling according to the invention is consequently constructed in a structurally very simple manner and can be rapidly assembled without activating a screw connection.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling has an angular portion in order to connect the coupling to the connection location.

In a further preferred manner, the coupling according to the invention can be connected to the connection location in a tool-free manner.

The recess of the connection location is preferably constructed in the form of a through-recess. For connection to such a connection location, the angular portion can be constructed to partially engage behind an inner edge of the through-recess.

The angular portion may be at least a portion of a bent rod of the coupling. In a preferred embodiment of the coupling, the angular portion is completely constructed in the form of a rod which is bent in a simple manner.

Alternatively or additionally, the coupling may have a nose-like projection so that the coupling can be secured in the recess of the connection location by means of a clamping connection. The nose-like projection in this instance constitutes a rotation prevention member of the coupling relative to the connection location. The rotation prevention member is in this instance preferably constructed in such a manner that it prevents rotation about the longitudinal axis of the recess.

The angular portion may be constructed as part of a T-shaped portion of the coupling. As a result of the T-shaped portion, the coupling is retained at the connection location in a particularly secure manner. That is to say, the coupling may engage behind the through-recess of the connection location with “both upper side arms of the T-shape”. A T-shaped portion is intended to be understood in this instance to be a portion which has at least two, in particular angled, projections for engaging behind the through-recess in the connection location.

The coupling may be rigidly connected to another scaffolding element, in particular a scaffolding pipe. Alternatively or additionally, the coupling may have a clip-like half-coupling for receiving a scaffolding pipe. The coupling provides in this instance, on the one hand, a rapid connection to the connection location of the scaffolding and, on the other hand, a flexible possibility for connecting a scaffolding retention member, in particular in the form of a scaffolding pipe, to the coupling. Preferably, the scaffolding pipe extends parallel or perpendicularly with respect to the plane of a plate-like portion of the coupling.

The half-coupling is particularly preferably arranged in such a manner that a tubular scaffolding retention member of any length can be introduced into the half-coupling. That is to say, the half-coupling is preferably orientated in such a manner that a tubular scaffolding retention member which is introduced into the half-coupling does not strike a portion of the coupling. Alternatively or additionally, the half-coupling may be constructed in such a manner that a tubular scaffolding retention member which is introduced into the half-coupling does not strike a portion of the scaffolding. In this manner, the tubular scaffolding retention member does not have to be cut to the length of the spacing of the scaffolding with respect to the scaffolding.

The coupling may receive in the half-coupling a scaffolding pipe which can be connected at one end by means of a facade connection to a building facade. At the other end, the scaffolding pipe is in this instance preferably connected to the angular portion by means of the half-coupling.

The coupling can be connected at the recess of the connection location which is suitable for system components of a scaffolding in the form of an anchor plate portion. The term anchor plate portion is intended to be understood to be a flat plate which has any outer contour and which extends perpendicularly away from the center axis of a scaffolding shaft and which is provided with at least one, preferably up to eight recesses which are preferably surrounded at all sides and in which fitted components, such as, for example, bars or consoles, can be secured. Generally, such anchor plate portions are arranged with regular spacings, the so-called vertical modular dimension, on the vertical shafts of, for example, modular scaffoldings. The anchor plate portion may be constructed in the form of a portion of an anchor plate so that the anchor plate portion only partially surrounds a scaffolding shaft and/or does not have recesses in all radial directions. Preferably, the anchor plate portion is constructed in the form of an anchor plate which completely surrounds the scaffolding shaft.

The object according to the invention is achieved with a scaffolding having a coupling as described above, a scaffolding shaft which is vertical in the assembled state and a connection location which is rigidly connected to the scaffolding shaft, wherein the connection location is connected to the coupling. The scaffolding shaft is connected to the connection location in this instance, in particular by means of a weld connection and/or a clamping connection.

The scaffolding pipe is preferably connected to the facade connection of a building facade.

The object according to the invention is further achieved with a method for connecting a coupling described above to a scaffolding described above, in which the coupling is arranged, in particular in a tool-free manner, at a connection location of the scaffolding. In this case, the coupling is preferably connected to the scaffolding by means of a recess of the connection location in the form of a through-recess.

In the method according to the invention, the connection location is constructed in the form of an anchor plate portion.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following detailed description of two embodiments of the invention, from the patent claims and the Figures of the drawings which show details which are significant to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features shown in the drawings are illustrated in such a manner that the specific features according to the invention can be made clearly visible. The different features can be implemented individually per se or together in any combination in variants of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of a scaffolding according to the invention with a coupling;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of another coupling; and

FIG. 2b is a plan view of the additional coupling according to FIG. 2 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a scaffolding 10. Of the scaffolding 10, a connection location 12 in the form of an anchor plate portion can be seen in FIG. 1. The connection location 12 is secured to a vertical scaffolding shaft 14, in particular welded. At the connection location 12, a coupling 18 is arranged or coupled. The coupling 18 serves to connect the connection location 12 to a scaffolding retention member which is not illustrated in FIG. 1 and which secures the scaffolding 10 to a building facade (not shown). By way of illustration, the longitudinal axis 20 of the tubular scaffolding retention member is shown in FIG. 1. The scaffolding retention member can be connected at one end by means of a facade connection (not shown) to the building facade. At the other end, the scaffolding retention member is received by means of a half-coupling 22 of the coupling 18. In this case, the half-coupling 22 is constructed in the form of a clip (clamp) in which the pipe of the scaffolding retention member is retained by closing a screw connection 24.

The half-coupling 22 is connected to a plate-like portion 28 by means of a weld connection 26. Alternatively, it could also be rotatably connected to the plate-like portion 24, for example, by means of a screw or rivet connection. By means of an additional weld connection which is not provided with a reference numeral, the plate-like portion 28 is connected to an angular portion 30 of the coupling 18.

The angular portion 30 is constructed in the form of a rod which is bent in a simple manner. The angular portion 30 is guided through a first recess 32 which is constructed in the form of a through-recess.

The connection location 12 has additional recesses in the form of through-recesses, wherein an additional recess 34 is provided with a reference numeral. A coupling 18 which can be connected to the additional recess 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and described below.

FIG. 2a shows the coupling 18 with a half-coupling 22 for receiving a tubular scaffolding retention member. On the half-coupling 22 a plate-like portion 28 is arranged, in particular in a rotationally secure manner. Furthermore, the coupling 18 has a T-shaped portion 36. The T-shaped portion 36 has a first upper side arm 38, a second upper side arm 40 and a lower portion 42. The T-shaped portion 36 is connected to the plate-like portion 28 by means of the lower portion 42.

As a result of the first upper side arm 38 and the lower portion 42, a first angular portion 44 is formed. As a result of the second upper side arm 40 and the lower portion 42, a second angular portion 46 is formed. As can be seen from an overview of FIGS. 1 and 2 a, the coupling 18 is retained partially between the upper side arms 38, 40 and the plate-like portion 28 in the assembled state of the coupling 18 on the connection location 12.

A nose-like projection 48 in the assembled state of the coupling 18 prevents the coupling 18 from becoming unintentionally released in the position thereof mounted on the connection location 12 (see FIG. 1).

The nose-like projection 28 is located—as illustrated in FIG. 2a —preferably in the transition region between the plate-like portion 28 and the lower portion 42.

FIG. 2b is a plan view of the coupling 18 according to FIG. 2a . In FIG. 2b , it can be seen that the T-shaped portion 36 is constructed in an asymmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal center plane 50 of the coupling 18. The second upper side arm 40 is constructed to be longer than the first upper side arm 38. Alternatively or additionally, the lower portion 42 has a notch 52. The above-mentioned features facilitate the securing of the T-shaped portion 36 in the Ω-shaped additional recess 34 (see FIG. 1). The T-shaped portion 36 may also be constructed symmetrically relative to the longitudinal center plane 50. If the additional recess 34 of the connection location 12 has a different shape, for example, a trapezoidal shape, the upper side arms 38, 40, the nose-like projection 48 and the length of the plate-like portion 28 have to be adapted accordingly. These are then additional embodiments of the invention.

In an overview of all the Figures of the drawings, the invention relates to a scaffolding 10 with a coupling 18 which can be mounted at a connection location 12. The connection location 12 preferably has in this instance a recess 32, 34 in the form of a through-recess in which an angular portion 30, 44, 46 of the coupling 18 can be at least partially introduced. The angular portion 30, 44, 46 preferably partially engages behind the connection location 12. The coupling 18 may have a half-coupling 22 so that a simple connection to a scaffolding pipe, in particular for connection to a facade, is produced. The invention further relates to a method for connecting the scaffolding 10 to such a coupling 18. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A scaffolding, comprising: a coupling for a scaffolding retention member for connecting the scaffolding to a building facade; a scaffolding shaft which is vertical in the assembled state; and a connection location which is rigidly connected to the scaffolding shaft in the form of an anchor plate portion; wherein the coupling is connected at a recess of the connection location which is suitable for system components of the scaffolding in the form of an anchor plate portion; and wherein the coupling has a clip-like half-coupling for receiving a scaffolding pipe.
 2. The scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the coupling has an angular portion in order to connect the coupling to the connection location.
 3. The scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the coupling can be connected to the connection location in a tool-free manner.
 4. The scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the angular portion of the coupling is constructed to partially engage behind an inner edge of the recess of the connection location which is constructed in the form of a through-recess.
 5. The scaffolding according to claim 4, wherein the angular portion of the coupling is at least a portion of a bent rod of the coupling.
 6. The scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the coupling has a nose-like projection so that the coupling can be secured in the recess of the connection location by means of a clamping connection.
 7. The scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the angular portion of the coupling is constructed as a portion of a T-shaped portion of the coupling.
 8. The scaffolding according to claim 2, wherein the angular portion of the coupling is constructed as a portion of a T-shaped portion of the coupling.
 9. The scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the coupling has the scaffolding pipe which is received in the half-coupling and which can be connected at one end by means of a facade connection to the building facade.
 10. The scaffolding according to claim 8, wherein the coupling has the scaffolding pipe which is received in the half-coupling and which can be connected at one end by means of a facade connection to the building facade.
 11. The scaffolding according to claim 10, wherein the scaffolding pipe is connected to the facade connection of the building facade.
 12. A method for connecting the coupling to the scaffolding according to claim 1, wherein the coupling is arranged at the connection location of the scaffolding, wherein the connection location is constructed in the form of the anchor plate portion. 